Belfast man convicted in April is confronted by the BBC

An illegal tooth whitener from Belfast who was taken to court by the GDC earlier this year, is still running his Shankill Road clinic according to the BBC.

In April, Samuel Irvine-Madine pleaded guilty at Belfast Magistrates Court to unlawfully holding himself out as being prepared to practise dentistry at HD Smile Clinic, contrary to section 38 (1) and (2) of the Dentists Act 1984.

He also admitted to unlawfully using the title ‘dental therapist’, contrary to section 39 (2A) of the Dentists Act 1984. Mr Irvine-Madine is not a qualified dental therapist and has never been registered with the GDC.

He was fined a total of £500 – £250 for each charge – and ordered to pay the GDC’s costs to the tune of £622.

The BBC claims that Mr Irvine-Madine has treated hundreds of people since his conviction and a reporter confronted him outside his shop yesterday morning (18 August). He refused to comment and left the scene, later posting on Facebook that there had been a flood and he would be unable to open at all that day.

A spokesman for the General Dental Council said: “The fines imposed on individuals prosecuted for the illegal practice of dentistry are set out in law and outside of the control of the GDC, however the fines are not the only deterrent with regards to illegal tooth whitening, the individuals that we prosecute also have a criminal conviction.

“We’re committed to protecting the public by continuing to bring prosecutions against individuals who carry out tooth whitening illegally, including those who continue to break the law following a conviction. For example, earlier this year we prosecuted Jaime Ross for a second time, having previously prosecuted her for unlawfully practising dentistry in 2014.

“In order to bring a criminal prosecution we need to obtain evidence that an offence has taken place. We urge anyone who has concerns about illegal practice of dentistry, including tooth whitening, to contact us.”